Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Rosedale, IN

What it is, How it works

The examination of hair is regarded as an effective method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drug consumption by embedding biomarkers within the structure of the growing hair shaft. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to around three months for alcohol and other substances. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and convenient to transport.

A sample of approximately 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, considered optimal for testing and verification. For EtG, additional requirements, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the hair sample is advised. We propose using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is not obtainable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. The term head hair exclusively pertains to scalp hair. All other hair types, including facial, axillary, etc., are denoted as body hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory drug testing procedure comprises four essential phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the preliminary integration of a sample into a lab's system. This process verifies proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) randomly, and completes any additional data entry that electronic chain of custody systems do not cover.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is an economical method for excluding drug use in most cases, a positive screening must undergo confirmation to be court-admissible. Any samples preliminarily positive in Screening require another level of confirmation.

Upon a presumptive positive outcome in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are isolated from the hair at significantly reduced concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug testing a more challenging protocol to execute.

Any positive screening result undergoes Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Pre-confirmation washing of presumptively positive samples is conducted as necessary. The entire process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is evaluated under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can identify drug usage for as long as 90 days, surpassing the shorter periods of urine tests.
• Resistance to deceit: Hair drug assessments are highly resistant to tampering, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical data provision: It delivers a detailed timeline of drug utilization over months, not solely recent activities.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect immediate use: A span of roughly 5-7 days is needed for drugs to become visible in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments generally incur greater costs relative to other testing methods.
• Inconsistent outcomes: Variations in hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Despite being commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle underneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing drug tests in Rosedale, IN, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine methods. Superior detection accuracy makes hair tests a reliable method for identifying drug traces. Moreover, they offer greater reliability, rendering them a preferred choice among businesses and legal professionals seeking stringent drug-testing measures.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Rosedale, IN, allows for an extended observation window, detecting drug use for up to 90 days. This extended timeframe grants employers a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history, invaluable for both pre-employment screenings and ongoing employee evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Rosedale, IN, minimizes the likelihood of sample alterations. This testing method is highly secure, offering unquestionable results that professionals and organizations can depend on, safeguarding them against dishonest practices.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The broad network of testing facilities in Rosedale, IN, and nationwide ensures convenient access for all. No matter where you are, quick and hassle-free testing is always within reach, simplifying the entire process and eliminating logistical challenges.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Rosedale, IN, the procedure for hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. Ordering, conducting, and receiving results are designed to maintain privacy and ease of use, ensuring that client concerns are addressed effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Rosedale, IN, offers competitive affordable pricing for hair follicle testing and quick result turnaround. Companies of all sizes benefit from exceptional value, making it easier to incorporate reliable drug testing into their regular operations without breaking the budget.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Rosedale, IN, the precision and swiftness of hair follicle testing set it apart. This method offers high accuracy in identifying substance use, ensuring that results are both fast and reliable. The comprehensive nature of hair testing reduces the likelihood of errors, making it a preferred choice for precise drug detection outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Rosedale, IN, gain peace of mind and ensure compliance by implementing hair follicle drug tests. This testing enhances workplace safety, supports drug-free policies, and mitigates legal risks, creating a secure and harmonious work environment.

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What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

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